From Burke to prestigious colleges: Latino students lead the way

“Education can’t be just another thing we do. It’s the most important thing we do.”

Education has been a central part of my life. I recognize the privilege I have, as a child of immigrants, to access a quality education. Former Gov. Jim Hunt was a strong advocate for education in our state.

Whenever I struggle with an assignment or am worried about what comes next, I remember his wise words — words that are printed above and are also on my mug for when I need caffeine to finish a paper.

When I look at the Latino community in Burke County, I see young people who strive to achieve that same goal: a quality education.

I believe that Latino students who apply themselves to their studies, undergo the rigorous college admissions process, and ultimately elect to attend college are the future of the Latino community.

I spoke with three of these students, Latino trailblazers, as I refer to them, who are: first-generation, children of immigrants, products of public education, rural North Carolinians, and Latino.

Lily Jantes Moya

Lily is a recent graduate of NCSSM-Morganton and previously attended East Burke High School. She will be attending Duke University as an A. James Clark Scholar.

Lily applied early decision to Duke, and according to the Duke Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper, “Duke admitted a record-low 12.8% of Early Decision applicants to the Class of 2029.” Lily was among the select few.

She credits her success to the educators who believed in her, such as Ms. Lori Eggers, a media center coordinator who “saw me for me.” We spoke about the stereotypes that dominate society, one being that Latino students are not into education: “In the school system … I had to prove myself so much more than others; I had to be better just for them (educators) to notice.”

Looking toward the future, Lily is excited to join the Blue Devils and is prepared for the challenges ahead. “Education is power …, specifically for our community (the Latino community), having an education proves so many stereotypes wrong.”

Josue Yax Mora

Josue recently graduated from Patton High School. He has been in Burke County Public Schools all his life. In the fall, he will be attending the University of Michigan. This year, “There were nearly 109,000 applications, an almost 11% increase over 2024,” for the class of 2029, according to the university’s staff newspaper.

Josue, an avid soccer player, spoke about a trend to not pursue higher education within the Latino community. He remembers instances when Latino students would make fun of him for taking education seriously.

However, Josue never let these taunts bother or discourage him. His advice to students, Latino or not, who want to go to college or achieve a big goal in life is simple, but powerful: “Stick to who you are. Never change what you believe in to fit in.”

When I asked him what motivates him to brave the cold temperatures of Michigan and be far from home, he said it’s the belief that education can change and transform his life.

He is excited for what comes next and having met Josue when I first started high school, I know he will bring positive change wherever he goes. Along with his academic and extracurricular achievements, Josue is grounded in his faith, which I know will take him far in life.

Francisco Escalante

Francisco, a graduate of Freedom High School, will be attending UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall. UNC, over the past five years, has seen a seven percent decrease in its acceptance rate, and the Class of 2029 is no exception to that trend.

For many immigrant parents, including mine, letting their children go is difficult. Latino culture is built on family and collectivism, and a child leaving, for better or for worse, is seen as a fragmentation of our culture and can be difficult.

Francisco spoke to me about the family aspect of this process. While his parents are supportive of his goals, they are nervous and anxious. Francisco understands these difficult emotions but believes that education will “expand the influence Latinos have in society.”

I relate to Francisco, especially since we both have dealt with the difficulties that come with leaving our families. Francisco is excited to be a Tar Heel in the Tar Heel State.

All three of these students are but a few examples of what I refer to as Latino excellence. Many more Latino students who were born and raised in Burke County are going to be attending college in the fall.

There is still much more work to be done in making education accessible for all, however, and it is regrettable to see an anti-immigrant agenda in America and a concerning rise in anti-Latino sentiment.

Despite this, I know that students like Lily, Josue, and Francisco will change the narrative in the years to come.